Funeral for Desaparecidos

May 19, 2011 permalink

During the last two decades over a thousand children are estimated to have died under care and supervision of Ontario's children's aid societies. Only a handful have had their names disclosed, the rest were disposed of in secret. This Saturday there will be a funeral for the rest of them.

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PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release.

RESPECTING THE NEEDLESS DEATH OF CHILDREN IN CAS CARE
MAY 21, 2011 - 11am-4pm
MOCK FUNERAL PROCESSION in HONOUR OF DECEASED CHILDREN
Hosted by: THE CANADIAN MALTESE CHARITABLE SERVICE TRUST
LEAVING UPPER CANADA MALL
SOUTH WEST CORNER PARKING LOT - 12pm
50 cars TRAVELING DOWN YOUNG STREET AND
ARRIVING AT QUEENS PARK - 2pm
Attila L. Vinczer - Attila@CanadianMaltese.org - 905.895.4029
Supported by; Fathers 4 Justice, Canada Court Watch, Dufferin Voca, Protecting Canadian Children,
Aboriginals, Children & Families Advocating for Accountability, Canadian Maltese Charitable Service Trust

The Canadian Maltese Charitable Service Trust has been made aware that according to the Coroner’s last report, in 2009, 120 children have died that were in contact or care of CAS in the preceding 12 months of their death. This is a chillingly disturbing revelation and one that is increasing year after year. The Ontario Government is doing nothing about these children dying.

A motorcade of about 50 cars will travel from Newmarket down Young Street to Queens park. The lead vehicle will be towing 12 child coffins on an open trailer signifying 10 children per coffin in memory of the 120 children that have died. At Queens Park a Eulogy will be read out of respect for the children that have died giving them a voice that we must all hear to ensure that the needless deaths of vulnerable children is no more. Our elected leaders must pay attention and take action.

The purpose of the event is to bring public awareness about this dark and disturbing occurrence where children are dying in the immediate or preceding CAS involvement who’s job it is to ensure the safety and well being of children is met. Child & Family advocates have found and reported that children are likely to suffer most in CAS care. There have been hundreds of CAS rallies throughout Ontario in protest of CAS harm. Dr. Marty McKay has reported that children in CAS care have been found to be over medicated to lethal levels. CCW has reported on such abuse at Youthdale where children have been injured by staff while forcing medication on children to sedate them.

The Liberal Government has intentionally defeated Bill 183 on May 5th which would have given power for Ombudsman Oversight to investigate why these children are dying in CAS care. Moreover, the Liberal Government is forcing Bill 179 into power that would expedite the adoption of Crown Wards to 30 days leaving parents who’s children have been snatched virtually defenseless.

Patrick Lake, the Executive Director of York CAS has expressed that he is supportive of Ombudsman Oversight, provided that it would replace an existing measure of accountability and not add to them. Mr. Lake has expressed that they, CAS do make mistakes. He explained of the 120 children that died as reported by CAS, 19 were in direct CAS care and of those 19, 12 were medically fragile leaving 7 deaths of children that were not medically fragile. Mr. Lake has graciously provided this information that is otherwise unavailable to the public as most of what CAS Agencies do is kept secret and within their own confines. Such is the case with Velvet Martin who’s child died as a result of gross neglect, she claims. She had to wait many years for an inquest, while CAS is making sure even the name of her child is kept secret, nameless and faceless. How does that protect a child?

It is abundantly clear children are needlessly dying in CAS care, the real numbers remain a mystery.